Mount Austen

Mount Austen rises directly behind Honiara, a forested ridge that offers commanding views over the capital and the waters of Iron Bottom Sound. During the Second World War it was the scene of prolonged and costly fighting as forces struggled for the high ground overlooking the vital airfield below. Today the slopes hold the Solomon Peace Memorial Park and other reminders of the campaign, while the summit road climbs through villages and gardens. Combining wartime significance with panoramic outlooks, it is a striking viewpoint near the capital.